Shelters: Serving the Homeless and Feeding the Hungry
St. Barnabas parishioners volunteer at various shelters in our area, as described below. More help is always welcome. Additionally, if you know of a need not currently being met, please contact one of the current Human Concerns Commission Members.
Maria Shelter
Maria Shelter, owned and operated by the Institute of Women Today (“IWT”)(www.instituteofwomentoday.org), provides interim housing for 50 homeless women and children. The shelter offers counseling and case management services, job readiness training, and a host of other services for the women and children.
Maria Shelter is located in the old St. Carthage Buildings, donated to IWT by Cardinal Bernadin. For additional information regarding how you might assist Maria Shelter in its works and mission, please contact Mary Kane (773) 239-2791.
PADS Shelters – Various Locations
The goal of PADS (“Public Action to Deliver Shelter”) is to provide hospitality, food and shelter to homeless people in the community.
- Nearby suburban PADS shelters (www.sspads.org) are open from 7pm to 7am, seven days a week, from October 1 through April 30. Volunteers staff the sites, prepare and serve the meals, and offer support in a safe environment.
- The Chicago PADS site, 3121 W. 71st Street (www.swchicagopads.org), is open year-round for various meals and social services, but does not provide overnight accommodations.
St. Barnabas parishioners support the PADS program by volunteering at various neighboring PADS facilities and shelters. Currently, St. Barnabas parishioners (and teams of parishioners) help on the following nights at the following locations:
- Wednesday pm/Thursday am: Our Lady of the Ridge, Chicago Ridge
- Wednesday dinner: SW Chicago PADS, 3121 W. 71st Street, Chicago
- Thursday pm/Friday am: Pilgrim Faith Church, Oak Lawn
- Friday pm/Saturday am: Sacred Heart Church, Palos Hills
- Saturday breakfasts (May-Sep)/dinner (Oct-Apr): SWChicago PADS, 3121 W.71st Street
- Sunday dinner: SW Chicago PADS, 3121 W. 71st Street
Additional volunteers and volunteer teams are always welcome. For further information, please contact Dennis Conway, (773) 779-6064.
Su Casa Soup Kitchen
The Su Casa Catholic Worker Mission, at 51st and Laflin, provides housing and community for local families in need. St. Barnabas Parish, together with seven other Southside parishes and the Su Casa Catholic Workers, co-host a Sunday meal for the neighborhood needy. Help is always welcome at the Mission.
For additional information, please contact Frank Bruhns (773) 233-1654 or Mary Condon (773) 238-2025.
